- Chief courts new respect
- By Kate Jones and Patrick O'Neil
- The Herald Sun
- 09/07/2004 Make a Comment
- Contributed by: admin ( 100 articles in 2004 )
New:Family Court Chief Justice Diana Bryant.
WINNING over the public will be the toughest challenge for new Family Court Chief Justice Diana Bryant.
Chief Justice Bryant, sworn in yesterday, said she hoped to improve the often poor perception of the Family Court.
"The biggest challenge is to try and earn the respect of the public," she said.
"I would really like the institute to have a bit more respect and understanding."
The Family Court has been criticised by men's groups and politicians over allegations that its decisions favour women.
Chief Justice Bryant talked of an education program to dispel any misconceptions and a new focus on streamlining hearings.
"There's no doubt that people want to have their cases heard . . . without spending too much of their money, and without investing too much of their lives in doing that," she said. "I think we can do much better."
Chief Justice Bryant replaces Alastair Nicholson, who is retiring after 16 years at the court.
Justice John Faulks was appointed deputy Chief Justice.
An Australian Institute of Family Studies report has found parents who have a good relationship after divorce are more likely to share time with their children equally.
And the financially secure have a better chance of gaining custody.
Daytime-only contact was most common for preschool children and shared care for primary school children.
Where contact between father and child was tenuous, mothers saw fathers as uninterested in the children; but fathers believed mothers had cut them out.
Frequent contact correlated with low levels of conflict between parents, low levels of parents finding new partners, less distance between the parents' homes and more financial resources.
Family Court chief promises reform
Court chief denies being under orders
Chief Justice Bryant, sworn in yesterday, said she hoped to improve the often poor perception of the Family Court.
"The biggest challenge is to try and earn the respect of the public," she said.
"I would really like the institute to have a bit more respect and understanding."
The Family Court has been criticised by men's groups and politicians over allegations that its decisions favour women.
Chief Justice Bryant talked of an education program to dispel any misconceptions and a new focus on streamlining hearings.
"There's no doubt that people want to have their cases heard . . . without spending too much of their money, and without investing too much of their lives in doing that," she said. "I think we can do much better."
Chief Justice Bryant replaces Alastair Nicholson, who is retiring after 16 years at the court.
Justice John Faulks was appointed deputy Chief Justice.
An Australian Institute of Family Studies report has found parents who have a good relationship after divorce are more likely to share time with their children equally.
And the financially secure have a better chance of gaining custody.
Daytime-only contact was most common for preschool children and shared care for primary school children.
Where contact between father and child was tenuous, mothers saw fathers as uninterested in the children; but fathers believed mothers had cut them out.
Frequent contact correlated with low levels of conflict between parents, low levels of parents finding new partners, less distance between the parents' homes and more financial resources.
Family Court chief promises reformCourt chief denies being under orders
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